A total of 25,316 violators of Haj regulations have been stopped from entering Makkah at various checkpoints up until Monday, according to Col. Badr Bin Muhammad Al-Malik, spokesman of the General Directorate of Passports. Al-Malik said the fingerprint system and vigilant officers thwarted the attempts of violators from sneaking into the holy sites. Most of the violators had no Haj permits, some were carrying fake permits and others were illegal aliens. He said the strict measures taken by the Haj commanders, in particular the aerial surveillance which has been introduced this year, will make it difficult for anyone to perform Haj illegally. The Haj regulations apply equally to citizens and residents. Al-Malik said security will be beefed-up from 8th and 9th of Dhul Hijja to prevent anyone from entering Makkah and inconveniencing pilgrims who have traveled thousands of kilometers to perform Haj. __
